KUALA LUMPUR: The cultural heritage of the Loke Yew family can be one of Malaysia's main attractions to woo tourists from China, said Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

“Loke Yew has contributed a lot to the development of Kuala Lumpur, together with other leaders and those from other races,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Dr Wee added that tourists could come to Malaysia to see the beauty of the multiracial society that helped build Kuala Lumpur into the city it is today.

Speaking at the Loke Association of Malaysia's 46th anniversary dinner on Sunday (Jan 21), he said that it is important to showcase the contributions of the Chinese community towards nation-building.

He added that the Loke family had worked together towards this aim.

“Thanks to Loke Yew’s contributions, we even named a street after him,” said Dr Wee.

Loke Yew (1845–1917) was a famous business magnate in his time, and was one of the founding fathers of Victoria Institution here.

Dr Wee also said that the Loke Association of Malaysia was in the midst of talking to the Federal Territories Ministry to come up with a plan to promote the cultural heritage of the family.

“They can have a space to share the success story of the family, and this can become a tourist attraction. Tourists from China are also interested in our cultural heritage,” he added.

-The Star-